Based purely on skill, your top 5 fighters of the decade?

[F l i c k e r]

Guys like Manny, Barrera, Cotto, Chris John, Zahir Raheem, ect are very underrated in terms of being technically fundamentally-sound, but i don't think they should be ranked at same levels as guys like Floyd, Ward, JMM, Hopkins, Calderon, Donaire, Wlad, ect in terms of being well-round technically-sound. These guys are like professors of the sweet science, and the way they displays their punches with precise timing and craftiness, ring awareness, control of fights tempos, ect are just phenomenal.

But apparently none of that matters because a guy who can't think to use an uppercut to split the earmuff guard and rather punch arms is more skill full than Hopkins, Calderon, Soto, Casamayor, Donaire, Chris John, Andre Ward. The list goes on.


I would actually have Ward number 1 if Floyd wasn't so ridiculously good. Ward literally fights every style. You expect him to box, he brawls you. Brawl, he boxes you. He will stand in your face. He will avoid everything you throw. He will pressure you. He will hug and mug. He is amazing.

[Carpe Diem]

But apparently none of that matters because a guy who can't think to use an uppercut to split the earmuff guard and rather punch arms is more skill full than Hopkins, Calderon, Soto, Casamayor, Donaire, Chris John, Andre Ward. The list goes on.


I would actually have Ward number 1 if Floyd wasn't so ridiculously good. Ward literally fights every style. You expect him to box, he brawls you. Brawl, he boxes you. He will stand in your face. He will avoid everything you throw. He will pressure you. He will hug and mug. He is amazing.

Manny is an above average skilled Boxer. He wouldn't be where he is today on brute power, speed, and athleticism alone. You can't really teach what he can do in the ring, his style is very awkward. But in some of his recent fights, he has displayed some great fundamental techniques. But in terms of being in the Top five of Boxers whom has truly mastered the art of the sport and its every fundamental aspects, I think there are few more qualified Boxers whom can fit the fifth spot ahead of, Manny Pacquiao.

[F l i c k e r]

Manny is an above average skilled Boxer. He wouldn't be where he is today on brute power, speed, and athleticism alone. You can't really teach what he can do in the ring, his style is very awkward. But in some of recent fights, he has displayed some great fundamental techniques. But in terms of being in the Top five of Boxers whom has truly mastered the art of the sport and its every fundamental aspects, I think there are few more qualified Boxers whom can fit the fifth spot instead, Manny.

Exactly what I have been saying. You said he was above average in skill right? If the top 5 are Elite in skill. Then how would he be top 5? I'm not saying you said he was top 5, i'm just saying in general. I couldn't in good faith even have him 10. Maybe 10 on the spot but I can fit a good amount of guys before him. 15 is pushing it but I would have to really break down guys at that point.

Being a great fighter doesn't always mean you are the most skilled. Kev made a brilliant post on the matter. Toney is more skilled than RJJ but who won when they fought? credit to Kev for that example.

[Carpe Diem]

Exactly what I have been saying. You said he was above average in skill right? If the top 5 are Elite in skill. Then how would he be top 5? I'm not saying you said he was top 5, i'm just saying in general. I couldn't in good faith even have him 10. Maybe 10 on the spot but I can fit a good amount of guys before him. 15 is pushing it but I would have to really break down guys at that point.

Being a great fighter doesn't always mean you are the most skilled. Kev made a brilliant post on the matter. Toney is more skilled than RJJ but who won when they fought? credit to Kev for that example.

Agree. I think he should be in the top 10 though.

[SplitSecond]

Exactly what I have been saying. You said he was above average in skill right? If the top 5 are Elite in skill. Then how would he be top 5? I'm not saying you said he was top 5, i'm just saying in general. I couldn't in good faith even have him 10. Maybe 10 on the spot but I can fit a good amount of guys before him. 15 is pushing it but I would have to really break down guys at that point.

Being a great fighter doesn't always mean you are the most skilled. Kev made a brilliant post on the matter. Toney is more skilled than RJJ but who won when they fought? credit to Kev for that example.

give us your top 10

[The Future]

why??? what part of "skills" you dont understand????
pacquio dont even know how to throw a goob jab

I agree, pacquiao gets by with his caveman boxing skills and needles full of roids.
...............Smh


How can people trust the boxing knowledge and mind of someone who leaves manny of their list.
For EVERYONE it should be mayweather and pacquiao(u can argue who is #1) then whoever else.
Whoever leaves one of them off the list are straight of HATERS.

[F l i c k e r]

give us your top 10

1. Mayweather
2. Ward
3. Marquez
4. Hopkins
5. Calderon
6. Donaire
7. Guerrero
8. Soto
9. Chris John
10. Pacquiao

Shyt, I just went by this decade. Not the past one, then Ricardo Lopez would be up there (retired 01). I allowed Pacquiao to edge out Khan. Wanted to add Juanma because he is very skilled but he hasn't fought anyone really, which kept me from adding him. Nishioka is good too but didn't feel comfortable putting him up there. Guzman is very skilled but this ain't mid 00s anymore he vanished. Casamayor vanished and is pretty much done. Morales done.

edit: Didn't add Bute either, very skilled but hasn't fought anyone notable.

You see. People can ask me to put it up, I oblige. I ask people to voice their opinion, they clam up and disappear. Things don't add up here.

[KingOfBox]

I disagree. Zab Judah is way more athletic than Floyd, but he's not on Floyd's level. Floyd has great flexibility and many more natural gifts, but he has relied more on his ring awareness than anything else. Floyd isn't the most skilled Boxer ever, but he has arguably mastered most of Boxing's fundamental aspects than any other current Boxers.

This might be the first time we have ever disagreed..

There is no way Zab is more athletic than Floyd... Floyd is easily the most athletic boxer out there... He works himself like a race horse and doesn't ever seem to tire or need a break. He has the best footwork, core strength, hip flexibility, and pretty much maintains his consistent pop throughout fights. His neck flexibility and strength plus a great chin allow him to take explosive haymakers in stride and survive punches that would knock most people down (as seen vs Mosley twice and vs coincidentally, Zab Judah). His reflexes are the key to his dominance. You can't teach that. He can slip your speed and make you pay with his. His ring awareness is a factor that makes him elite but I would disagree that he RELIES on it more than anything else. Floyd would be just another boxer with speed and footwork if it wasn't for his reflexes and work ethic

Zab fades after 5 or 6... His endurance is very average or below average.. He especially doesn't take well to tummy punches. More importantly, his punches lose their steam as his endurance goes. He has very good footwork but his stance limits his mobility quite a bit and makes him predictable when he is on the defensive. He points his back foot outward often, limiting his forward and backward mobility, though he displays exceptional lateral movement. As far as power, I think Zab has some of the best stuff to offer in terms of p4p power. That uppercut of his is one of the wickedest shots I've ever seen. That being said, Zab's athleticism is nothing to envy IMO

much respect....

[uoykcuf]

1.) Wlad or Pac

2.) Wlad or Pac

3.) Vitali

4.) Martinez

5.) Donaire



Cherry picking opponents:

1) Floyd

[GreatestIam]

Skillsefense, jab, form, technique, delivery, aggressivness, sucsess.... of the last decase

Hopkins
Pac
Mayweather a win over pac propels him, he hasnt been tested in years...
Calzaghe
Wlad
JMM
Mosley
Donaire
Jermaine Taylor